Meet Our Reporters

Tekella Foster (she/her) is a native Mississippian with more than two decades of journalism experience in broadcast media. She has produced for major networks including ABC, HGTV and CNN. An Emmy award winner, she has a proven ability to use various media platforms to engage communities in critical social issues and draw attention to stories that go underreported. She earned a master’s degree in journalism from Regent University and a BA in broadcast journalism from The University of Southern Mississippi. Outside of the production world, you can find Tekella teaching etiquette and manners skills to teens, at the gym or shopping for greeting cards. And no, she wasn’t named after the alcohol.

Ways to connect with Tekella:

• @TekellaFoster on Instagram
• Tekella Foster on LinkedIn

Marissa Lacey (she/her) is a producer and host of both radio shows and podcasts at Troy Public Radio in Montgomery, Alabama, and will soon be a television producer at WHNT in Huntsville. She started working for TPR in her freshman year, and for four years of college, she basically lived in the radio station. In addition to pursuing broadcasting, Marissa was part of the AFROTC program at Troy University. She also loves to talk about music, which she does on “Mad Melodies,” TPR’s first student-produced podcast. 

Ways to connect with Marissa: 

• @Lacey59439009 on Twitter
• Marissa Lacey on LinkedIn

Aretha McKinney (she/her) is a senior mass communication major with a PR focus at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the photo editor for the student newspaper, Courtbouillon, and the vice president of the campus radio station, WDUB. She is passionate about storytelling and using her creativity to make a difference in the world around her. Before studying mass communication, Aretha was a thespian in high school, participating in productions for all four years of school. She loves horror movies, funny podcasts and her family including her extremely cute dog, Tucker.

Ways to connect with Aretha:

• Aretha McKinney on LinkedIn

Rachel Parker (she/her) is a journalist born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She is an alum of the University of Alabama. Writing has been her passion from a young age, allowing her to use her voice for herself and others. Her most recent work has covered issues concerning women and communities of color. She loves reading novels of any genre and spending quality time with loved ones.

Ways to connect with Rachel:

• @ParkerMichellee on Twitter

Owen Racer (he/him) is a freelance journalist residing in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Cincinnati, Ohio native has focused his work as of late on health and science stories, specifically mental health, a near and dear topic. After reporting on the business beat in Denver, Colorado, and in Ohio, Owen happily relocated to the Deep South. Aside from reporting, he — unfortunately — values reading about extreme subject matters (conflict, geopolitics, natural disasters) that he hopes to one day cover as a journalist. If not found there, he is likely getting his commuter bicycle fixed, again.

Ways to connect with Owen:

• @owenrracer on Twitter
• Owen Racer on LinkedIn